A visit to a prison - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus …

Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed …
Philemon 1; 2 Timothy 1:12

A visit to a prison
Picture an old man sitting, bound with chains in a prison. He has been accused by the religious leaders of his people, mistreated for the gospel of God, and finally imprisoned in Rome like a criminal. Yet, Paul does not call himself “a prisoner of the Romans”, but “a prisoner of Christ Jesus”. He endures all this for Him, his Saviour and Lord. He is not ashamed and trusts Him fully!

Furthermore, he finds little support even among Christians. They prefer to have nothing to do with a despised prisoner. Paul writes to Timothy: “At my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them” (2 Timothy 4:16). It is not easy to be abandoned by friends, but Paul doesn’t become bitter.

What are his topics of conversation? The unjust treatment he has received? The terrible living conditions in the dungeon? No, his main topic is the Lord Jesus Christ: this Jesus, who met Paul with an indescribably bright light when he was seeking to hunt down and kill the Christians in Damascus; this Jesus, who made Paul a preacher of the gospel and whom he has served with dedication ever since. His words are: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; … the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Now, facing death, Paul can say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

He is seemingly a defeated man, but in truth he is a victor, not by his own strength, but by the power of God. What an example!

Today’s reading: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15 · Revelation 3:7-13